Warm-ups

I thought labor was supposed to be this hellacious event only at the end of pregnancy that lasts AT MOST 48 hours. Not exactly. I've been having Braxton-Hicks or what they call 'warm-up contractions' for 10 weeks now. Fun, eh?

Actually, they weren't bad at all until a little over a week ago. In fact, I'd say they were only 'uncomfortable' - even entertaining at times to see how rock hard my round belly would get. But now... I'd going to go ahead and classify them as painful. I get a few a day where the pain wraps around by belly, starting at the back and I am doubled over with focused breathing and eyes watering until it passes. I've capped out at 5/hour, but at 6/hour, I get a trip to the doctor's office and/or hospital which I REALLY don't want. Most the time it's just about 10-15 per day with only 3 or 4 that really knock my socks off (I just hope that no one is nearby when any of these strike).